Signaling system



Jan. 15, 1929.

J. B. QUICK SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 1'7, 1925 AUDISL SIGNAL VISIBLESheets-Sheet l 1 f y f INVENTOR OHN B. QUICK.

ATTORNEY Jan. l5, 1929.

1,698,966 J. B. QulcK SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 17, 1925 2Sheets-Speet 2 INVENToR JOHN B.QUICK ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 15, 1929.

UNITED STATES JOHN IB. QUICK, 0F WASCO, CALIFORNIA.

SIGNALING SYSTEM.

Application led February 17, 1925. Serial No. 9,7612..

This invention relates in a general Way to signaling systems andparticularly to automatic signaling systems for railway crossings andthe like and comprises oppositely disposed sets of signals preferablypositioned in the roadway, said sets each comprising audible and visiblesignals which are electrically and fluid pressure actuated by means ofan electrically driven air pump connected in circuit with a block formedin a section of the railway track and automatically actuated by thepassing of the train over this block as in ordinary block signal system.

The block system is a well known means for actuating signals and it istherefore thought unnecessary to go into detail in the operation of thissystem as applied to my invention.

The principal feature of this invention is the synchronous operation ofthe oppositely arranged sets of audible and visible signals; the audiblesignals being actuated by virtue of the making and breaking of the blockcircuit and the visible signals being actuated by means of air pressurekforced through pipes to the opposite visible signals by means of theelectrically driven air compressor which is connected in and actuated bythe block circuit.

The primary object of this invention is to produce a signaling systemwhich is most adaptable for the protection of vehicular traffic. atrailway crossings.

Another object of the invention is to produce a signaling system whichcomprises audible signals set at considerable distance from the visiblesignals and adapted to warn vehicular traiiic in advance of the visiblesignals, thereby providing a double warning of the approach of trains. y

Another object is to provide a signaling system which is simple inconstruction, positive in action and the visible signals of whichdisappear' below the level of the street when out of use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear with referenceto the subjoined specification and the accompanying two sheets ofdrawings, in which;

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a street railway crossing or the likeand showing my signals in place in the roadway and the pipe connectionsconnecting the several signals with the electrically driven air pump,the electric wiring circuits connecting the railway block and pump motorand the light circuits to the visible signals.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional detail of one of. the visible signalsand stand pipe for receiving the same and taken at the line 2-2 ofFigure 1, the signaling member proper being shown in operative or raisedposition.

`F ig. 3 is a sectional detail taken at the line 3-3 of Figure 2 andshowing the signaling member proper in lowered or inoperative positionwithin the stand pipe.

Fig. 4 is an elevation of 'the signaling member proper removed from thestand pipe. Referring more particularly to the drawings iny signalingsystem comprises in detail oppositely disposed sets of visible signals 1and 1 set in the center of the roadway approaches 2y and 2 of therailway track 3. These signals are set at approximately four yardsffromthe track and at oppositersides thereof and connected togetherunderground by a system of pipes 4, 4: and 5 through which lui dpressure is forced by means of a motor G and air pump 7.

- The audible signals 8 and V8. are set in the center of the roadwaysome thirty yards back of the visible signals 1 and 1 and comprisessirens or the like which are electrically connected by means of conduits9 and 9 to the fittings 10 and 10 of the pipe system 4; and 4l andconnected with the visible signal circuits 11 and 11 which in turninclude the motor 6 and block actuating circuit 12. V

The visible signals 1 and 1 are duplicates and function simultaneouslywith the audible signals 8 and 8 and comprise stand-pipes 13 set intothe concrete or like roadway as shown in Figure 2', 3 and 4, the saidstandpipes being preferably short pipe nipples adapted to be screwseated into elbows or like fittings 14 of the pipe systems 4 and 1.These stand-pipes 13 are provided with eX- pansible members 15 ofcylindrical form and adapted to fit and hang loosely within saidstand-pipes when deflated. The expansible members 15 are preferablyconstructed of any well known collapsible or eXpansible Inaterial in theform of colored fabric, preferably red, to attract attention in the daytime. These members are capped at their upper ends by means of metalcaps 16 secured to the upper edges thereof by rivets or like fastenings,the said caps being provided with flanged members 17 adapted to fit overthe upper edges of the stand-pipes 13 and Within recesses formed in theroadway around the upper ends of said stand-pipe. Vhen the expansiblemembers are deflated within the stand-pipes and in their inoperativepositions, as shown in Figure 3.

The lower` edges of the eXpansible members 15 are provided with plungers18 adapted to it within the stand-pipes and secured to the saideXpansible members by means of screws or like fastenings 19. Theseplungers act as weights to hold the eXpansible members suspended withinthe stand-pipes when in inoperative position and serveas stops tolimitthe upward movement of said expansible members when moved to the limitor' their movementJ against the shoulders 2O formed in the upper ends ofthe stand-pipes as shown in Figure 2.

rlhe plungers are provided with openings 21 of considerably largerdiameter than the conduits 22 which they embrace. These openings 21 alsoallow air pressure to enter the expansible members 15 when the pump isactuated and allow the compressed air to eX- haust when the air pressureis relieved to deflate the eXpansible members as hereinafter described.rllhe conduits 22 extend within the stand-pipes and are provided attheir upper ends with light bulbs 23 adapted torreiiect light within theexpansible members 15 and to illuminate the same when in the positionshown in Figure 2. The word Stop is stenciledV or otherwise placed uponthe expansible members 15 in such position as to be visible to anyoneapproaching the railway crossing from either direction.

The block 12 shown in the drawings is very short but in actual practicewould extend some half mile or mile on opposite sides of the crossingand a train approaching from either direction would close the circuit insaid block which would energize the motor circuit and motor 6, therebycausing the pump 7 to torce air through'the pipes 5, and 4 to thevisible signals 1 and 11, which pressure enters the eXpansible members15 and forces them to their upward limit as shown in Figure 2 therebydisplaying the illuminated word Stop above the roadway. he visile signalcircuits 11, 11 and the audible signal circuits are simultaneouslyenergized, thereby causing said audible signals to produce an audiblealarm at considerable distance from the visible signals. lll/'hen thetrain has passed out of the block the circuits are cle-energized and theair pressure released from the pipe lines and the visible signalsdeflated and dropped to the position shown in Figure 3.

Having thus described and illustrated my invention in its preferred forml wish it understood that the same may be modified as practice suggestswithout departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, therefore,`what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United Statesis the following:

Claims:

1. A roadway signaling device, for automobiles including a stand-pipesunk into the roadway, an expansible member carrying indicia in saidstand-pipe, a plunger on said expansible member, normally maintainingthe member within the stand-pipe, means introducing air pressure intothe expansible member to move and expand said member from thestand-pipe, and means within the stand-pipe for limiting the movement ofthe member from the stand-pipe.

2. A roadway signaling device, for automobilesincluding a stand-pipesunlr into the roadway, an expansible member carrying indicia in saidstand-pipe, a plunger on said expansible member, normally maintainingthe member within the stand-pipe, means introducing" air pressure intothe expansible member to move and expand said member from thestand-pipe, and means within the stand-pipe co-operating with theplunger for limiting the movement of the member from the stand-pipe.

ln testimony that Iclaim the foregoing have hereto set my hand this 21stday et October,1924;.

JOHN B. QUICK

